Foot drying apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for drying the areas between the toes of the feet, comprising a base and an upstanding wall disposed at one end of the base. The base has the imprint or outline of the left and right foot of a person indicated on the upper surface thereof. The heel portion of each foot imprint preferably is recessed, and a slightly upwardly curved arch portion is provided. At the ball portion of each foot imprint, a recess is provided for the purpose of accommodating a pumice stone or the like which can be used for honing calluses, bunions or other rough dead skin on the feet. The upstanding wall comprises a set of four inwardly extending ribs which preferably extend from the upper portion of the upstanding wall to a point spaced above the base. The spacing for each set of four ribs is commensurate with the average spacing between a person&#39;&#39;s toes, with the width of each rib being approximately the same as the spacing between the toes. Owing to the different lengths and offsetting of the toes of each foot, the ribs of each set are of progressively greater depths extending from the big toe to the little toe of each foot. A moisture absorbing cover is removably positioned over the upstanding wall and ribs to facilitate the drying of the areas between the toes of each foot when they are positioned between the ribs and moved upwardly and downwardly relative thereto.

ilniteei States Patent Dabbs Feb. 11, 1975 lFOOT DRYING APPARATUS catedon the upper surface thereof. The heel portion [76] Inventor: Everett E.Dabbs, 2617 Velma each foot imprint Preferably l and a Bums Ct Tucker Ga30084 slightly upwardly curved arch portion 15 provided. At

the ball portion of each foot imprint. a recess is prol l Flledi Jan.24, 1974 vided for the purpose of accommodating a pumice stone or thelike which can be used for honing callzll Appl' 436362 luses, bunions orother rough dead skin on the feet. The upstanding wall comprises a setof four inwardly [52] US. Cl. 132/73 extending ribs which preferablyextend from the upper {51] int. Cl A49d 29/00 portion of the upstandingwall to a point spaced above [58] Field Of Search 3 the base. Thespacing for each set of four ribs is com- 15/238 mensurate with theaverage spacing between a persons toes, with the width of each rib beingapproxi- [56] References C ted mately the same as the spacing betweenthe toes, UNITED STATES PATENTS Owing to the different lengths andoffsetting of the 2 169.990 8/1939 Pmvc 132/73 toes of each foot, theribs of each set are of progres' 217.5].693 0/1956 BtlkCl' 36/85 sivelygreater depths extending from the big we to the Primary E.\'aminerG. E.McNeill [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for drying the areas between the toes ofthe feet, comprising a base and an upstanding wall disposed at one endof the base. The base has the imprint or outline of the left and rightfoot of a person indit sii ii little toe of each foot. A moistureabsorbing cover is removably positioned over the upstanding wall andribs to facilitate the drying of the areas between the toes of each footwhen they are positioned between the ribs and moved upwardly anddownwardly relative thereto.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I FOOT DRYING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a foot drying apparatus and, moreparticularly, to an apparatus for drying the areas between the toes ofthe feet.

There are millions of elderly or infirm people who have varying degreesof difficulty in reaching their feet owing to stiffjoints, arthriticconditions and general instability when bending over. There are also alarge number of men and women in a wider age bracket whose corpulentgirth and obese mid-section discour ages any attempt to reach the toesof their feet. As a result, such persons generally do not adequately drythe areas between the toes of their feet after bathing. Moistureremaining between the toes of the feet as a result of inadequate dryingserves as a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, itching and athletesfoot. For elderly, infirm or obese people, attempts to reach the toes ofthe feet for drying can result in falls and possible injury.

Although the prior art includes many different types of devices forfacilitating the drying of certain areas of the body, including thefeet, none of these devices is constructed to provide for and facilitatethe drying of the areas between the toes of the feet. Accordingly, aneed has arisen for a simple and inexpensive device for facilitating thedrying of the areas between the toes of the feet of elderly, infirm orobese people who can not conveniently reach these areas for manualdrying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foot drying apparatus of the presentinvention generally comprises a base and an upstanding wall, preferablyformed of unitary construction from a suitable material, such as plasticor metal. The base preferably is provided with non-skid upper and lowersurfaces. The upper surface of the base has indicated hereon theoutlines or imprints of the left and right foot of a person. Each footimprint is provided with a re cessed heel portion and a slightly curvedarch portion. The ball portion of each imprint has a recess in which apumice or other abrading stone is removably positioned for the honing ofcalluses, bunions or other rough dead skin on the feet.

The upstanding wall is provided with a set of four upwardly extending,substantially parallel ribs adjacent the toe portion of each footimprint on the base. Preferably, each rib extends from the upper portionof the upstanding wall to a point spaced approximately 1 to 2 inchesabove the base. The lateral spacing of the ribs is commensurate with theaverage spacing between a persons toes, and each rib is of a thicknessthat is approximately equal to the spaces between the toes. Owing to thedifferent lengths of the toes and offsetting of the toes, the ribs ofeach set are graduated in depth such that the ribs extend progressivelyfurther inwardly from a point adjacent the big toe to a point adjacentthe little toe of each foot.

For the purpose of facilitating the drying ofthe areas between the toesof the feet, a cover is removably positioned on the upstanding wall andribs, and preferably is formed of a moisture absorbing material such asterry cloth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thefoot drying apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 in FIG.1',

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along line 33 inFIG. I; and

FIG. 41 is a view similar to FIG. .3 showing a modified embodiment ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the footdrying apparatus 10 of the present invention generally comprises a base12 and an upstanding wall 14 disposed at one end of the base.Preferably, the base 12 and upstanding wall 14 are of unitaryconstruction and are molded of a suitable plastic material.Alternatively, the base 12 and wall 14 can be formed of any othersuitable material, such as metal, and be formed separately and assembledto gether in any suitable manner.

The base 12 preferably is formed with non-skid upper and lower surfaces,and is provided with indications of left and right foot imprints oroutlines 16 on the upper surface thereof. These imprints 16 may be drawnon the upper surface thereof, molded therein, etched therein or formedtherein in any other suitable manner. Each foot imprint I6 preferably isformed with a recessed heel portion 18, a slightly curved arch portion20 and a shallow recess 22 at the ball portion thereof in which a pumicestone 24 or other suitable abrading stone is removably received.Preferably, the stone 24 extends about one-eighth inch above the uppersurface of each imprint 16. The base 12 may be of any suitable outlineor shape, such as rectangular, and is of sufficient thickness andstrength to support the weight of a heavy human being.

The upstanding wall I4 preferably extends upwardly at an angle ofapproximately to the base [2, although any other suitable angularrelationship could be utilized. Adjacent the forward toe portions ofeach foot imprint 16, the upstanding wall 14 is provided with a set offour upstanding, laterally spaced ribs 26 which extend inwardly over theforward toe portion of the adjacent foot imprint 16 on the base 12. Theribs 26 for each foot imprint 16 are positioned and laterally spaced ina manner to conveniently receive therebetween the toes of a person. Asan illustrative example, each of the ribs may be approximatelyone-eighth inch in thickness, and the spacing between the ribs may beapproximately three-fourths inch. Also, the wall l4 may be of a heightof approximately 6 inches, with the ribs 26 extending from the upperportion thereof to a point spaced approximately I to l-/2 inches abovethe upper surface of the base 12 for the purpose of allowing the personsfoot to be placed in one of the imprints 16 on the base without engagingthe ribs 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ribs 26 of each set near the little toe extendfarther inwardly than the ribs 26 nearer the big toe, owing to thedifferences in lengths and offsetting of the toes of a persons foot. Inother words. the depth of the ribs in each set is gradually increasedextending from the big toe towards the little toe so that the ribs canfit properly with the spaces between the toes of each foot.

In order to effect the drying of the spaces between the toes when thetoes are inserted between the ribs 26 and moved upwardly and downwardly,a cover 28 of any suitable moisture absorbing material, such as terrycloth is removably mounted on the wall 14 and extends over the ribs 26thereof, as shown in PK]. 1. The cover 28 may be of any suitableconstruction and may be retained on the wall 14 in any suitable manner,such as by snaps, buttons, ties or the like.

In the use of the foot drying apparatus of the present invention, when aperson desires to dry the areas between his toes, he merely steps on thebase 12 and positions the three middle toes within the spaces betweenthe four adjacent ribs 26 on the upstanding wall 14. Upward and downwardmovement of the toes will cause the absorbent cover 28 on the wall 14 todry the areas between the toes. The toes of the other foot may be driedby following the same procedure with the other set of ribs 26.

The raised pumice stone 24 in the ball portion 22 of each foot imprint16 on the base 12 facilitates the honing or removal of any calluses,bunions or other dead skin on the persons feet.

A modification of the foot drying apparatus of the present invention isshown in FIG. 4 wherein the upstanding wall 114 is formed of a curvedshape which enables the ribs 126 thereon to be of substantially the samedepth and still be properly positioned between the toes for drying. Asin the embodiment shown in FIGS. l-3, the wall 114 is provided with aremovable, water-absorbent cover to effect drying the spaces between thetoes positioned between the ribs 126.

What is claimed is:

1. A foot drying apparatus, comprising:

a base for receiving a persons feet thereon;

an upstanding wall connected to one end of said base,

said wall having a plurality of upstanding, laterally spaced ribs whichextend inwardly over said base and are adapted to receive a persons toestherebetween; and

a water absorbing cover removably received on said wall and extendingover said ribs to effect drying of the areas between the toes positionedbetween siad ribs.

2. The foot drying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wall comprises twosets of four of said ribs, one set for the right foot and the other setfor the left foot.

3. The foot drying apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ribs of each set arelaterally spaced in accordance with the average spacing between the toesofa persons foot,

and wherein said wall is substantially straight and the ribs of each setextend inwardly progressively farther from the big toe portion towardsthe little toe portion thereof.

4. The foot drying apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ribs of each set arelaterally spaced in accordance with the spacing between the toes of aperson's foot. and wherein said wall is curved inwardly from the centerthereof toward the sides of said base and the ribs of each set extendinwardly approximately an equal amount.

5. The foot drying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wall issubstantially perpendicular to said base.

6. The foot drying apparatus of claim I wherein said base and said wallare molded in one piece of a plastic material.

7. The foot drying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base has indicatedthereon the outlines of right and left feet, each foot outline comprisesa recessed heel portion, a curved arch portion and a recess in the ballportion thereof, and an abrading stone is removably positioned in saidrecess and extends slightly above the adjacent upper surface of saidbase.

8. The foot drying apparatus of claim 7 wherein said wall comprises twosets of four of said ribs, one set being adjacent said right footoutline and the other set being adjacent said left foot outline on saidbase.

9. The foot drying apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ribs of each set arelaterally spaced in accordance with the average spacing between the toesofa persons foot, and wherein said wall is substantially straight andthe ribs of each set extend inwardly progressively farther from the bigtoe portion thereof toward the little toe portion thereof.

10. The foot drying apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ribs of each setare laterally spaced in accordance with the average spacing between thetoes of a persons foot, and wherein said wall is curved inwardly fromthe center thereof toward the sides of said base and the ribs of eachset extend inwardly approximately an equal amount.

11. The foot drying apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ribs of each setextend inwardly over the toe portion of the adjacent foot outline onsaid base, and terminate in vertically spaced relation thereto.

1. A foot drying apparatus, comprising: a base for receiving a person''sfeet thereon; an upstanding wall connected to one end of said base, saidwall having a plurality of upstanding, laterally spaced ribs whichextend inwardly over said base and are adapted to receive a person''stoes therebetween; and a water absorbing cover removably received onsaid wall and extending over said ribs to effect drying of the areasbetween the toes positioned between siad ribs.
 2. The foot dryingapparatus of claim 1 wherein said wall comprises two sets of four ofsaid ribs, one set for the right foot and the other set for the leftfoot.
 3. The foot drying apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ribs of eachset are laterally spaced in accordance with the average spacing betweenthe toes of a person''s foot, and wherein said wall is substantiallystraight and the ribs of each set extend inwardly progressively fartherfrom the big toe portion towards the little toe portion thereof.
 4. Thefoot drying apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ribs of each set arelaterally spaced in accordance with the spacing between the toes of aperson''s foot, and wherein said wall is curved inwardly from the centerthereof toward the sides of said base and the ribs of each set extendinwardly approximately an equal amount.
 5. The foot drying apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said wall is substantially perpendicular to said base.6. The foot drying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base and said wallare molded in one piece of a plastic material.
 7. The foot dryingapparatus of claim 1 wherein said base has indicated thereon theoutlines of right and left feet, each foot outline comprises a recessedheel portion, a curved arch portion and a recess in the ball portionthereof, and an abrading stone is removably positioned in said recessand extends slightly above the adjacent upper surface of said base. 8.The foot drying apparatus of claim 7 wherein said wall comprises twosets of four of said ribs, one set being adjacent said right footoutline and the other set being adjacent said left foot outline on saidbase.
 9. The foot drying apparatus of claiM 8 wherein the ribs of eachset are laterally spaced in accordance with the average spacing betweenthe toes of a person''s foot, and wherein said wall is substantiallystraight and the ribs of each set extend inwardly progressively fartherfrom the big toe portion thereof toward the little toe portion thereof.10. The foot drying apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ribs of each setare laterally spaced in accordance with the average spacing between thetoes of a person''s foot, and wherein said wall is curved inwardly fromthe center thereof toward the sides of said base and the ribs of eachset extend inwardly approximately an equal amount.
 11. The foot dryingapparatus of claim 8 wherein the ribs of each set extend inwardly overthe toe portion of the adjacent foot outline on said base, and terminatein vertically spaced relation thereto.